After being featured on the infectious hit “Latch” by Disclosure, Sam Smith has been carving out his own path and breaking into the charts stateside. Fellow British singer Ed Sheeran paid homage to Smith with an emotional take on the ballad of unrequited love, “Stay With Me.”

“It is my favorite song of the last year,” Sheeran said, before launching into the jam. “I think it’s an instant classic. It’s gonna be around for a long time. Sam Smith is gonna be around for a long time, as well,” Sheeran said before launching into the cover. Sheeran brings an emotional intensity worthy of the original and leaves everyone at the BBC Radio Live Lounge in awe. Watch and listen for yourself below: